Colorado Wildfire Report: July 26

About this report: This wildfire update is provided by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in partnership with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to keep you informed of current wildfires, larger than 100 acres,  for which the State is currently supporting and monitoring. The update does not cover all wildfires currently burning in Colorado that may be smaller incidents.

 

West Fork Fire Complex (includes West Fork, Windy Pass and Papoose Fires)

Fire Name	West Fork Fire Complex: West Fork Fire| Papoose Fire| Windy Pass Fire
Fire Start Date	June 5, 2013
Location/County	Mineral and Hinsdale
Cause	Lightning
Acres	109,615
Containment	66%
Evacuations	Minimal
Fatalities	None Reported
Structures Lost	A small pump  house in the Papoose Fire.
Resources	43 Personnel Assigned
Executive Order Issued	Yes
Funding	Disaster Emergency Fund, Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), SBA
Information Sources	www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report, West Fork PIO, GACC Large Incident Report

 

Citadel Fire

 

Fire Name	Citadel Fire
Fire Start Date	July 20, 2013
Location/County	Moffat
Cause	Lightning
Acres	2009
Containment	90%
Evacuations	None reported
Fatalities	None Reported
Structures Lost	None Reported
Resources	Incident turned over to a Type 4 organization within the Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit. (Final Report)
Executive Order Issued	No:  Federal Lands
Funding	On Federal Lands
Information Sources	Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit Fire Information Officer, Inciweb.org

 

East Tschuddi Fire

 

Fire Name	East Tschuddi Fire
Fire Start Date	July 20, 2013
Location/County	Rio Blanco
Cause	Lightning
Acres	647
Containment	90%
Evacuations	None Reported
Fatalities	None Reported
Structures Lost	None Reported
Resources	Incident turned over to a Type 4 organization within the Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit. (Final Report)
Executive Order Issued	No on Federal Lands
Funding	No on Federal Lands
Information Sources	Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit Fire Information Officer

Important Note: Information on current and future Colorado wildfires can be obtained from the following websites, which are updated regularly during incidents:

• INCIWEB: http://www.inciweb.org/state/6/ 
• Colorado Office of Emergency Management: http://www.coemergency.com/
• Social Media:  Twitter:  @COEmergency or  @COStateFire; Facebook: COEmergency
• Current Map of Colorado Fires by Colorado Office of Emergency Management: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215563989566450268982.0004c328de8016253230a&msa=0&ll=40.446947,-105.908203&spn=13.068198,19.753418
• Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/links/fire_info/index.html
• US Forest Service Active Fire Map: http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php

Today’s Fire Outlook

The fire situation rating for the Rocky Mountain Area is at a  Preparedness Level 2. The National Preparedness Level remains at a Level 2.

Monthly Seasonal Outlook from the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

Colorado Fire Restriction Information

Each county is responsible for enacting appropriate restrictions.

View COEM’s current map of Colorado Fire Restrictions at: https://www.google.com/fusiontables/embedviz?viz=MAP&q=select+col4+from+1o76CJOtWMM37FdAb-dpQdTeUlwkbC0oBFAETH78&h=false&lat=39.02634487425597&lng=-105.550565&z=7&t=1&l=col4 

Colorado Weather Watches and Warnings Information 

For information on active fire weather watches and warnings visit: http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/co.php?x=1. A map can be viewed at: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/main.php.

 

Colorado Smoke Outlook

For information about wildfire smoke visit: http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/wildfire.aspx
For information on Colorado air quality visit:  http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx

No Growth on Northwest Colorado Fires, But Much Work Remains

Fire managers reported that minimal fire activity occurred on both the Citadel and East Tschuddi Fires on Tuesday. Crews worked to keep both fires within their respective planning areas. Air resources supporting the fire crews include one heavy, one medium, and two light helicopters. The weather forecast calls for slightly cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity today. There is a chance for thunderstorm activity - with the potential for some moisture and strong gusty winds in the fire area – this afternoon. As a reminder, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are currently in place for Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties, as well as BLM managed lands in those counties. 

 

Citadel Fire, Moffat County: The Citadel Fire is currently 1,851 acres – a small decrease in acreage due to more accurate mapping. Crews completed line construction along the western portion of the Citadel Fire yesterday. Although there was minimal fire activity, there are still heavy fuel concentrations and heat in the northeast portion of the fire.  Some of the resources will be repositioned on the Citadel Fire today to most effectively manage the fire while ensuring for firefighter safety.

Citadel Fire Statistics at a Glance:

Time/Date Started:  July 21, 2013, 12:00 p.m.

Location: 40 miles northwest of Meeker in Moffat County, Colorado

Cause: Lightning

Fuels: Piñon –Juniper, Sage Brush

Size: 1,851 acres (1,773 acres BLM, 78 acres State)

Containment: 25%

 

East Tschuddi Fire, Rio Blanco County:  There was no growth on the East Tschuddi Fire on Tuesday. One minor injury resulting from dehydration and heat-exposure was reported yesterday. On Wednesday, fire crews will continue to build fireline and mop-up as conditions allow. In response to the anticipated thunderstorm activity later this afternoon, Operations Section Chief Geoff Bell said the plan for Wednesday is to “move resources out of difficult terrain during the afternoon winds due to the potential for fire growth.”

East Tschuddi Fire Statistics at a Glance:

Time/Date Started:  July 20, 2013, 3:30 p.m.

Location: 20 miles northwest of Meeker in Rio Blanco County, Colorado

Cause: Lightning

Fuels: Piñon –Juniper, Sage Brush, Oak Brush, Douglas Fir

Size: 436 acres (399 acres BLM, 37 acres State)

Containment: 35%

Colorado Wildfire Report: July 23

About this report: This wildfire update is provided by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in partnership with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to keep you informed of current wildfires, larger than 100 acres,  for which the State is currently supporting and monitoring. The update does not cover all wildfires currently burning in Colorado that may be smaller incidents.

Important Note: Information on current and future Colorado wildfires can be obtained from the following websites, which are updated regularly during incidents:

• INCIWEB: http://www.inciweb.org/state/6/ 
• Colorado Office of Emergency Management: http://www.coemergency.com/
• Social Media:  Twitter:  @COEmergency or  @COStateFire; Facebook: COEmergency
• Current Map of Colorado Fires by Colorado Office of Emergency Management: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215563989566450268982.0004c328de8016253230a&msa=0&ll=40.446947,-105.908203&spn=13.068198,19.753418
• Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/links/fire_info/index.html
• US Forest Service Active Fire Map: http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php

West Fork Fire Complex (includes West Fork, Windy Pass and Papoose Fires)

Fire Name	West Fork Fire Complex: West Fork Fire| Papoose Fire| Windy Pass Fire
Fire Start Date	June 5, 2013
Location/County	Mineral and Hinsdale
Cause	Lightning
Acres	109,615
Containment	66%
Evacuations	Minimal
Fatalities	None Reported
Structures Lost	A small pump  house in the Papoose Fire.
Resources	43 Personnel Assigned
Executive Order Issued	Yes
Funding	Disaster Emergency Fund, Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), SBA
Information Sources	www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report, West Fork PIO, GACC Large Incident Report

 

Citadel Fire

Fire Name	Citadel Fire
Fire Start Date	July 20, 2013
Location/County	Moffat
Cause	Lightning
Acres	1898
Containment	10%
Evacuations	None reported
Fatalities	None Reported
Structures Lost	None Reported
Resources	48 Personnel Assigned
Executive Order Issued	No:  Federal Lands
Funding	On Federal Lands
Information Sources	Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit Fire Information Officer, Inciweb.org

 

East Tschuddi Fire

Fire Name	East Tschuddi Fire
Fire Start Date	July 20, 2013
Location/County	Rio Blanco
Cause	Lightning
Acres	435
Containment	25%
Evacuations	None Reported
Fatalities	None Reported
Structures Lost	None Reported
Resources	~45 Personnel Assigned/ DFPC SEATs
Executive Order Issued	No on Federal Lands
Funding	No on Federal Lands
Information Sources	Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit Fire Information Officer

Today’s Fire Outlook

The fire situation rating for the Rocky Mountain Area is at a  Preparedness Level 2. The National Preparedness Level remains at a Level 2.

Monthly Seasonal Outlook from the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

Colorado Fire Restriction Information

Each county is responsible for enacting appropriate restrictions.

View COEM’s current map of Colorado Fire Restrictions at: https://www.google.com/fusiontables/embedviz?viz=MAP&q=select+col4+from+1o76CJOtWMM37FdAb-dpQdTeUlwkbC0oBFAETH78&h=false&lat=39.02634487425597&lng=-105.550565&z=7&t=1&l=col4 

Colorado Weather Watches and Warnings Information 

For information on active fire weather watches and warnings visit: http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/co.php?x=1. A map can be viewed at: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/main.php.

 

Colorado Smoke Outlook

For information about wildfire smoke visit: http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/wildfire.aspx
For information on Colorado air quality visit:  http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx

 

Citadel Fire and East Tschuddi Fire Updates: July 23 at 8 a.m.

Management of the Citadel and East Tschuddi Fires transitioned to the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team B at 6:00 a.m. this morning. Both fires were caused by lightning. There are no evacuations or road closures for either fire at this time.

Citadel Fire, Moffat County: The Citadel Fire was reported on Sunday at approximately 12:00 p.m. The fire grew to approximately 1600 acres during the first day. On Monday, fire behavior was not as severe; and active burning occurred primarily within the interior of the fire with about 200 acres of perimeter growth. Fire crews were able to create a safe anchor point and safety zone with hand work and a burnout operation, which was critical due to the challenges presented by the steep, rugged terrain.

Citadel Fire Statistics at a Glance

• Time/Date Started: July 21, 2013, 12:00 p.m.
• Location: 40 miles northwest of Meeker in Moffat County, Colorado
• Cause: Lightning
• Fuels: Piñon –Juniper, Sage Brush
• Size: 1,898 acres
• Containment: 10%

East Tschuddi Fire, Rio Blanco County: The East Tschuddi Fire was reported on Saturday at approximately 3:30 p.m. There was no significant growth on the fire Monday. The East Tschuddi Fire is also located in steep, rugged terrain. Air resources, working in conjunction with fire crews, began to establish containment lines on the fire yesterday.

East Tschuddi Fire Statistics at a Glance

• Time/Date Started: July 20, 2013, 3:30 p.m.
• Location: 20 miles northwest of Meeker in Rio Blanco County, Colorado
• Cause: Lightning
• Fuels: Piñon –Juniper, Sage Brush, Oak Brush, Douglas Fir
• Size: 435 acres
• Containment: 25%

Fire Information Sources and Contacts

• Fire Information: 970-325-FIRE (3473)
  Citadel Fire Website: http://inciweb.org/incident/3543/
  East Tschuddi Fire Website: http://inciweb.org/incident/3545/
  Incident email: RMIMT2TeamB@gmail.com
  

Additional Resources Arriving to Fight the Citadel and East Tschuddi Fires: Update at 12 p.m.

A type 2 Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team has been ordered to assume management of the Citadel and Tschuddi fires. The RM IMT is expected to arrive this evening in Meeker and meet with county, state and federal managers for a briefing on the fire situation.

Today five single engine air tankers and two helicopters are assigned to the Citadel and East Tschuddi fires. They will be providing aerial reconnaissance and dropping retardant to slow the fires spread.

Citadel Fire, Moffat County: Fire crews worked late into the evening conducting a burnout operation off a road on the southwest side of the Citadel Fire in order to establish an anchor point. This provides a safe area for fire fighters to begin building fireline. The fire remained active through the night and terrain is rough hard to access. Crews assigned to the Citadel incident include two hot shot crews, one type 1 initial attack crew, two type 2 20-person hand crews, and Moffat County Road and Bridge equipment including a water tender.

At last report the fire is: esitmated1,600 acres; lightning caused; started on Bureau of Land Management land and burned on to state land; vegetation is timber, sagebrush and pinion and juniper trees; 0% contained; reported July 21, 2013; 40 miles northwest of Meeker; no injuries reported; and three structures are threatened.

Tschuddi Fire, Rio Blanco County: Crews worked yesterday building fireline on the east and south flanks of the fire. The blaze was active on the south flank last night. The Tschuddi Fire started on BLM land and moved on to Colorado Parks and Wildlife land. Yesterday crews took actions to protect a historical CPW by burning out around the cabin which removes fuel for the fire. Another CPW cabin is one and one half mile northeast of the blaze. Crews assigned to the East Tschuddi incident are one hot shot crew, one type 2 20-person hand crew, one squad and one water tender.

The fire currently is: 652 acres; lightning caused; vegetation is oak brush; timber, and pinion and juniper trees; 5% contained; reported July 20, 2013; 20 miles northwest of Meeker; no injuries; and one structure threatened.

More warm, dry conditions are expected through tomorrow evening. Fire danger is high in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties.

Information provided by Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit Information Officer.